Batter in the batting cage at the batter's edge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This is an outdoor batting cage that has been around for about 50 years and is located in the middle of the South Valley neighborhood away from Sunset. “Batter's Edge”.
“Batting cages have a very long history in the South Valley,” said Debbie Torres Rudin, one of the owners of Batter's Edge. “People come here with their grandparents and tell us their stories.”
After running a business for several years, the owner is looking for a change of pace. They now want to sell the property. The Rudin family currently owns the business and is ready to sell it to someone who wants to keep it as a batting cage. Business was good, they said, but times were catching up with them.
“It's about health issues. It's not about lack of business or anything,” co-owner Max Rudin said. “This is just a health issue, so it's about time. It's really time, and now's the time to do it.”
The Rudins purchased the batting center around 2010-2011, but the property has a much longer history than that. The batting center was built from 1976 to 1980 for the first time. Because of its longevity, it has grown as a community place for players, parents, and neighbors to gather.
“It's outdoors, so it's a little more fun,” said Yolonda Blanton, a parent of a player who will be hitting the ball Sunday. “It’s just some fresh air and a fun time for the family.”
The owners said they don't have a specific timeline for when they want to sell the property, but they hope to do so as soon as possible. The business is located on approximately 1/2 acre and the clubhouse building is approximately 940 square feet.
“It's already a great foundation to start on what we've already built,” explained Max Rudin. “You just have to keep doing it and there's room to grow. That's it, there's room to grow.”
